Designing with Love

What does it take to design learning experiences that truly work? Join Jackie Pelegrin, award-winning instructional designer and Grand Canyon University (GCU) adjunct instructor, as she explores instructional design, e-learning, and AI integration. Expect actionable tips, real-world insights, and conversations with students, alumni, and industry leaders shaping the future of learning.

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Designing with Love

Designing with love, purpose, and heart.

This show explores instructional design, e-learning, and how to incorporate AI technology into different aspects of the field.

Tune in for expert tips, real-world insights, and inspiring stories from students, alumni, and leaders in the field.

Recent Episodes

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Human-Governed AI for Learning Design With James Gilchrist

140

Aug. 9, 2026

Human-Governed AI for Learning Design With James Gilchrist

AI can hand you a polished outline, a full course draft, and a dozen “best practice” scenarios in seconds. The hard part is deciding whether any of it is worth a learner’s time. Jackie sat down with James Gildrist, founder of Lighthouse L&D Consulting, to talk about the real work behind AI in learning and development: protecting meaning, judgment, and instructional quality when speed is the loudest promise in the room. James brings a simple, memorable framework from his iSpring Days 2026 sessio

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Myth: Learning Styles Should Drive Design Decisions

139

Aug. 5, 2026

Myth: Learning Styles Should Drive Design Decisions

If you’ve ever heard someone say “I’m a visual learner,” you’ve seen how quickly learning style labels can shape training decisions. In this episode, Jackie unpacks a persistent instructional design myth: that learning styles should drive how we build courses, lessons, and eLearning. Learner preferences are real, but treating them like fixed categories can pull us away from what actually improves performance and understanding. Jackie explores why the myth sticks around, from how personal it fee

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Lead Without a Title With Darrell Williams

138

Aug. 2, 2026

Lead Without a Title With Darrell Williams

The fastest way to become a trusted leader isn’t getting promoted. It’s becoming the person people run to when something hurts, and you can help fix it. Jackie sat down with Darrell Williams, a master certified life coach and longtime military and federal leader, to translate high-pressure leadership into everyday skills for educators and instructional designers. We dig into why rank never guarantees someone’s best work, how culture and connection matter even more on remote teams, and what it l

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Myth: Good Teaching Equals Good Instructional Design

137

July 29, 2026

Myth: Good Teaching Equals Good Instructional Design

Good teaching is powerful, but it can also hide a trap: when a class goes well, we assume the design must be strong. Jackie unpacks a common myth in instructional design and education that shows up everywhere from K-12 to corporate training and higher ed: good teaching equals good instructional design. They’re connected, but they’re not the same job, and confusing them can leave gaps in practice, assessment, accessibility, and real-world performance. We talk through why this belief has lasted s

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Recent Blog Posts

Aug. 9, 2026

Human-Governed AI for Learning Design With James Gilchrist

In today's rapidly evolving landscape of learning and development (L&D), the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked important conversations about the balance between speed and quality. With organizations increasingly turning to AI f…

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Aug. 5, 2026

Learning Styles: Myth or Reality? Why They Shouldn’t Drive Design Decisions

In the world of instructional design, the topic of learning styles often comes up, sparking heated debates and confusion. Many educators and instructional designers believe that tailoring instruction to specific learning styles—such as visual, audit…

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Aug. 2, 2026

Lead Without a Title With Darrell Williams

In today’s fast-paced educational environment, many educators and instructional designers find themselves leading teams and initiatives without formal authority. This can be challenging, but effective leadership is possible when you focus on buildin…

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About the Host

Jackie Pelegrin

Award-Winning Instructional Designer, College Professor, Consultant, and Podcast Host

Jackie, an Arizona native, leverages decades of experience as an award-winning instructional designer within both higher education and the corporate world. She holds an MBA and a Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology, both acquired through online learning. In addition to her full-time role, Jackie serves as an award-winning adjunct instructor, teaching online courses at Grand Canyon University. During her leisure time, she delights in reading books across a range of genres, enjoying movies and TV shows, playing games, listening to uplifting music, and spending quality time with her family and friends.